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  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

Could I have some advice on what slave flash to buy for a SLR Canon 400d, 350d or 700d? I have been asked to show our photography students how to take photos of smoke with a black background in a dark room which isn’t something I have done before. We cannot use the camera flash as it lights up the background, so as I understand it for best results you need a slave flash to the side with a wireless link to the camera. But looking on Amazon it’s pretty overwhelming the amount of options and I have no idea which ones are good or bad.

 

We are looking at the £30 to £60 price range for a directional flash that can go on top of the camera and work as a slave to the side. What’s the best way to set this up?

Posted
Could I have some advice on what slave flash to buy for a SLR Canon 400d, 350d or 700d? I have been asked to show our photography students how to take photos of smoke with a black background in a dark room which isn’t something I have done before. We cannot use the camera flash as it lights up the background, so as I understand it for best results you need a slave flash to the side with a wireless link to the camera. But looking on Amazon it’s pretty overwhelming the amount of options and I have no idea which ones are good or bad.

 

We are looking at the £30 to £60 price range for a directional flash that can go on top of the camera and work as a slave to the side. What’s the best way to set this up?

 

First off you'll need a flash unit, and £30-£60 is really pushing it to get something that is Canon compatible - a second hand non-canon model might work but beware that the 350d and 400d will only work with certain types of flash.

 

Then you'll need to connect the flash unit to the camera. You can minimise spend here by using cables - this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Godox-Camera-Flash-Speedlite-TTL-C/dp/B01CQHE38Y/ref=pd_lpo_421_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9VA3Q5HYJJ30WN1M5CPG is under £15, or you can use one of many third party wireless solutions like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Godox-Channels-RT-16-Transmitter-Kit/dp/B015CGETBM/ref=sr_1_13?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1487927339&sr=1-13&keywords=godox+wireless+hot+shoe.

Posted
if its too bright i know its a bit of a bodge but cut the bottom of a semi translucent bottle etc off and put it over the flash to reduce the strength/alter the colour etc worth a try for 5 mins work
Posted
if its too bright i know its a bit of a bodge but cut the bottom of a semi translucent bottle etc off and put it over the flash to reduce the strength/alter the colour etc worth a try for 5 mins work

 

Moving the background further away would help too; this could also help ensure it is not in focus, although you'd need a bigger background.

Posted (edited)
Could I have some advice on what slave flash to buy for a SLR Canon 400d, 350d or 700d? I have been asked to show our photography students how to take photos of smoke with a black background in a dark room which isn’t something I have done before. We cannot use the camera flash as it lights up the background, so as I understand it for best results you need a slave flash to the side with a wireless link to the camera. But looking on Amazon it’s pretty overwhelming the amount of options and I have no idea which ones are good or bad.

 

We are looking at the £30 to £60 price range for a directional flash that can go on top of the camera and work as a slave to the side. What’s the best way to set this up?

 

You want some cheap and cheerful Yongnuo Flashes, I have a pair of Yongnuo YN-560 III's and the YN-560-tx transmitter. They're fully manual flashes so don't do stuff like HSS or TTL but for a first jump into strobist photography they're brilliant. They come with little stands in the pack so they'll sit on a table but if you want to start using umbrellas then you'll want a cheap light stand and a flash holder. Check out David Hobby's blog especially the Lighting 101 course at https://www.strobist.blogspot.com/ If you need any advice just give me a shout :-)

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/YONGNUO-YN560-III-INT-YongNuo-YN-560-Flashgun/dp/B00BXA7N6A

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yongnuo-YN560-TX-Wireless-Controller-LF466/dp/B00M1BVYYM

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaavie-Universal-Swivel-Holder-Umbrella/dp/B006VTJQT0

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Photo-Studio-Accessories/Phot-R-Professional-Translucent-White-Studio-Collapsible-Umbrella/B013T5O9BS

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Photography-Adjustable-3-Section-Aluminium/dp/B00MOM61AA

Edited by Pyroman
Posted
The benefit of the YN-560 III and the YN-560-tx is you can change the power of the flashes remotely if you have them high up on a light stand. :-)
Posted
The benefit of the YN-560 III and the YN-560-tx is you can change the power of the flashes remotely if you have them high up on a light stand. :-)

 

Yeh, i know was just trying to be super cheap :) I use the 622N's

  • Thanks 1
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I'm now officially a Youtuber! I'm selling a few lenses on Ebay so needed to take some photos. Posted them on a few sites and got asked about the lighting/setup of the shots etc so decided to make a little how to video.

 

It's my first attempt at shooting and cutting a video so it's a little rough but not too bad. Would appreciate any feedback etc.

 

Posted

Nice photos, pity about the motion blur on the left though. Still an improvement on my efforts this week! Not a single decent pic except the test shot before leaving the house - yep - the cat! :-(

 

33401556271_b4aa0516fe_c.jpgWot-u-lookin-at? by Alan, on Flickr

  • Thanks 2
Posted
Thanks @alan-d to be honest i'm not too keen on the starburst from the lights, its too in your face I did wonder about cloning the motion blur out but as they are only personal shots I wasn't too fussed. Will have another go when the weather improves. :)
Posted (edited)

There is a trick to the light problem, and that is to place a finger over the light source on one exposure (Not literally but in the picture) then merge it with a second exposure. Not tried it myself yet though.

 

Long exposure and motion are never good bed fellows. :( The other week I was trying to take a shot and the bridge I was on was moving. I'm talking a duel carriageway solid steel and concrete thing and the camera on a tripod and remote shutter.

 

It's not the video I was looking for but you get the idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3llYqa8Oa9s

Edited by alan-d
Posted

I've not been very active on the photography front for the past wee while. I do likes these ones I took this month however:

32627593163_bfa570b83c_z.jpg

32629832423_82506d040a_z.jpg

33288346702_585720e61c_z.jpg

  • Thanks 1
Posted (edited)

At first glance I thought the first two images were only one.

 

That makes that swan look VERY sinister, staring down at the poor grebe.

Edited by korifugi
missed an 's'

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